Planning for College as a Family: Saving, Budgeting, and Smart Borrowing
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Join us for this week’s #CreditChat as we talk about planning for college as a family! From saving and budgeting to smart borrowing strategies, we’ll cover how to prepare financially for higher education. Don’t miss this important conversation to help your family make informed college decisions!
Topic: Planning for College as a Family: Saving, Budgeting, and Smart Borrowing
When: Wednesday, June 11, 2025 at 3 p.m. ET.
Where: Join the live hashtag discussion
The panel will include: Helen Lewis: Senior Editor of Education at U.S. News & World Report; Travis Hornsby, CFA®, CFP®: Chief Student Loan Planner of StudentLoanPlanner.com; Patrina Dixon, CFEI, RFC Founder and CEO of It’$ My Money®; Todd Christensen: AFCPE® Accredited Financial Counselor®, Author of Everyday Money for Everyday People, and Education Manager at MoneyFit.org; Felicity Watts: Author at American Consumer Credit Counseling; Yanely Espinal: Director of Educational Outreach for Next Gen Personal Finance; Joyce Brewer: Emmy award-winning TV Journalist, Podcaster and Founder of MommyTalkShow.com; Rod Griffin: Senior Director, Consumer Education and Advocacy, Experian; Jennifer White: Consumer Education and Advocacy Team, and Christina Roman: Consumer Education and Advocacy Manager at Experian.
Gift Card Giveaway
Enter here for a chance to win a $50 Amazon gift card! We will be announcing a winner at the end of the chat. Entry Period: Raffle open now and closes at the end of this chat at 4 p.m. ET. Complete rules here.
Questions we will discuss:
- What key priorities should families focus on when creating a college budget, and how might those priorities vary based on financial situations or goals?
- How early should families start planning for college and what are the most effective savings vehicles?
- How can families strike a balance between saving for college and meeting other important financial goals, like retirement, paying off debt, or building an emergency fund?
- What hidden or overlooked costs should families consider when estimating the full cost of college, and how can they plan for them?
- How can families involve their children in the college budgeting process in a way that builds financial responsibility and shared decision-making?
- What’s the difference between federal and private student loans, and how should families decide which is right for them?
- What role should financial aid and scholarships play in the decision-making process?
- What should families and students consider before taking out or cosigning student loans?
- What tools, resources, or support systems are available to help families navigate the college budgeting and planning process?
- How can families use the college planning process as an opportunity to teach financial values and build stronger relationships?
Check out our complete list of upcoming personal finance Twitter chats here.